The Dukes were a preeminent family in North Carolina because of the family's massive fortune and charitable deeds. Washington Duke, father of James Buchanan and Benjamin N., was an enterprising man and laid the groundwork for the Duke family fortune. The fortune was built on exceptional smoking tobacco grown and sold by Washington Duke following the Civil War.

There were a number of important battles fought in North Carolina both on land and on sea. Lawrence recounts the history of some of the best known ones, including Fort Macon, New Bern, Plymouth, Fort Fisher, and Bentonville.

The Carolina Inn, located on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is but one of two university-owned and operated hotels in the country. The other one is located at Princeton.